Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1887-03-30
Then a little later we find :
Levi r. Griffin


State of New York, May %, 1887.
His parents came to Michigan in
1S47. At the age of 16 Mr.. Griffin
entered the University at Ann Arbor,
graduating in 1857. After gradual
ing he entered the law Office Of Moore
q Blackmar, of Detroit, as law stu
dent. He pursued his studies with
such assiduity that in May, 1858. just
after he had attained his majority, he
was admitted to the bar. He was a
member of the first class admitted,
after examination, before the Supreme
Court of Michigan, as at present Or
ganized, and was highly compliment
ed on his proficiency. He continued
with Moore & Blackmar for some
months after his admission, when he
went to Grand Rapids and engaged
in practice with Lucien H. Patter-
son, for some years one Of the best
known lawyers of Western Michigan.
Here he remained until 1860, when
he returned to Detroit, and resumed
his connection with Moore IL Black
mar. He made rapid progress in his
profession, and was soon recognized
as one of the rising lawyers of the
State. He actively participated in
the Presidential campaign of 1860, and
largely added to the good opinion
formed of him by his clearness in
discussion, felicity of phrase and pow
er of argument. After some years of
hard work no had gained a firm foot
hold on the ladder of professional ad-
vancement, and there was nothing
which could interfere with his ascent.
But the summons of his country call
ed more loudly than did the prompt
ings of private ambition, and in
August, 1862, throwing aside all per-
sonal considerations, he entered the
Union army. Was made Second
Lieutenant in December, 1862, of the
Fourth Michigan Cavalry Regiment,
which captured jeff Davis at the
close of the war, promoted to a First
Lieutenancy in February, 1868, and
was made Adjutant of his regiment
in April, 1868, was commissioned rs
Captain February "a, 1864, was as
signed to staff duty as Acting Assist
ant Adjutant- General of Cavalry
Corps, Military Division of Mississip-
pi under Maj. Gen. j. II. Wilson in
the fall of 1863. was mustered out of
service July, 1865, and for gallant and
meritorious services during the war
was breveted Major of the United
States Volunteers by the President.
Two brothers also served in the Union
army, one as Captain of the Thirty
sixth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry,
who died in 1869 from the effects Of
exposure while confined in Libby
prison; the other brother was shot
through the body at Stone River
while serving under Gen. Rosecrans,
hut recovered.
After the close of the war Mr..
Griffin resumed the practice of law
in Detroit, becoming associated with
his former preceptor, William A.
Moore, then and now distinguished
lawyer of Detroit, in the firm of
Moore & Griffin. Abundant oppor-
tunities for the display of his profess
sional learning presented themselves,
and the reputation of Mr. Griffin as
a thoroughly equipped all round law
yer was established. In 1875 he as
ISOLATED himself with Don Nj. Dick
inson in the practice of his profession,
under the firm name Of Griffin &
Dickinson. Some years later this
partnership was dissolved, and Mr..
Griffin has since been the senior part
ner in the Aw firm of Griffin e. War
ner. During his long practice, which
has covered cases of all kinds and
descriptions, SO that hs. is thoroughly
with all of the branches of
the profession, in practice as well rs
in theory. Mr.. Griffin has perhaps
tried more cases than any other law
yer in the State. His clientage has
been large and extensive, and while
his practice has been lucrative it has
been less so than if he had identified
himself with railroad or other corpo-
aitions an I been at their command.
Instead Of this the range Of his pract-
ice has been such that he has un-
appeared more often in
court as the opponent of corporations
than any other lawyer in Michigan.
There is no lawyer in the State who
is more free from entangling alliances
with corporate influences than is Levi
T. Griffin.
Although Mr.. Griffin has been a
lifelong Democrat, and has taken a
large interest in public affairs, he has
never until his nomination for Justice
Of the Supreme Court, been a candi-
date before the people for public Office.
In August. 1886, Mr.. Griffin was
unanimously elected Fletcher Profes.
sor of Law by the Regents of the
State University. AS law lecturer
he has taken the highest rank in point
Of ability and popularity among the
many able men who have given the
law faculty of our State University a
reputation for legal learn
ing. While his legal attachments
have placed him in the front rank as a |
lawyer, his knowledge of men, his
hearty sympathy with the masses. his |
general information, his wide and
varied experiences, his courtesy to
witnesses. jurors, lawyers and courts,
his fairness and his common sense
nave made him one of the most sue
cessful jury advocates in the State.
Learned and acute, eloquent and logi-
,al, his qualifications for the Supreme
Bench are of the very highest order.
Detroit Free Press.